Yavapai County leaders say the proposed jail tax extension could avert a serious budget crisis. “Hands down, this is the most critical issue this county faces, bar none,” said County Supervisors Chairman Rowle Simmons.
He explained that the ballot measure is not a new tax, but extends the existing tax for another 20 years. “Tax bills will not go up if voters approve this ballot measure. Voting ‘yes’ will not raise the existing tax or create a new one.”
He says every dollar the county collects from the sales tax is used to help operate the jail. It provides about half of the $18.1 million necessary to maintain and run the jail. The other half comes from the county general fund, generated primarily by property taxes.
Echoing Simmons was Phil Bourdon, county administrator. Bourdon says if the jail tax extension does not pass, he and county officials will immediately have to begin thinking of ways to reduce services and possibly raise taxes to generate more than $8.8 million. “Believe me, cutting services will really hurt people in the county.”
Bourdon explained that the county has no choice. “We are mandated by statute to pay all costs to operate and maintain a safe and secure jail. The jail, located in Camp Verde, is paid for in full at this time by the combination of the Jail District Tax and monies from the general fund. Ever since voters approved the Jail District Tax in 1999, we have been able to save towns and municipalities more than $20 million in prisoner housing costs. If that jail tax goes away, towns and cities will have to find those dollars to pay the cost. Frankly, they don’t have that kind of money.”
Both men noted that about 17 percent of revenue for the sales tax is generated from tourists from outside Yavapai County.
Captain Jeff Newnum is the jail commander of the Camp Verde County Jail. Speaking recently during a radio interview, Newnum was adamant that he and his staff were doing everything they can to sustain a jail system that accommodates the health, welfare and safety of inmates.
“Our jail has 644 beds, and we’re constantly at capacity. During the year, we have about 9,200 intakes into the jail. What most people don’t know is that 95 percent of these inmates are felons. We continually introduce programs to reduce the recidivism rate. We are reaching out 24/7 to screen inmates and provide as best we can programs to help inmates return as productive citizens to society.”
Newnum says he and other law officers owe it to the county’s 230,000 residents to operate and maintain a secure jail system for the protection of the public.
County administrator Bourdon praised Newnum, saying he and his staff were operating the county jail at a cost that was lower than average costs for most jails in Arizona.
County Personnel Are Optimistic About Passage Of Jail Tax Extension Measure
Simmons said he and other supervisors decided to ask for voter consideration of the jail tax extension at this time, rather than wait until the tax expires in June 2020.
“We feel it is important that voters know how critical it is to support this existing tax extension. We want to plan proactively for the next 20 years without financial worry. Sheriff Scott Masher and his fellow law enforcement officers are doing a fantastic job in protecting the public. We want to keep it that way,” Simmons said.
David McAtee, public information officer for the Board of Supervisors, said that a publicity pamphlet to be issued by the county will describe in full the ballot measure.
Simmons says he is confident voters will support the measure. “Given the tax is one-fourth of a cent per dollar, that means that for every $4 you spend; only one cent is going to go into the jail tax. That’s pretty doggone reasonable, I think, to provide for public safety and security.” QCBN
By Ray Newton, QCBN
PHOTO CAPTION:
1-2Yavapai County Administrator Phil Bourdon, County Supervisor Chair Rowle Simmons, and County Public Information Officer David McAtee all emphasize that the proposed extension of the existing Jail District Sales Tax is not a new tax and will not increase taxes if it passes the May 15 Special Election.
Photo by Ray Newton
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